Apparatus for forming ice cubes



Nov. l5, 1955 H. B. MASON APPARATUS FOR FORMING ICE cUBEs 4 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed March 18, 1953 IMJHH row INVENTOR Hay/ -jfason ATTORNEYS Nov.15, 1955 H. B. MASON 2,723,536

APPARATUS FOR FORMING ICE CUBES Filed March 18, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR /fay/fasoa Nov. 15, 1955 H. B. MASON APPARATUS FOR FORMING ICECUBES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 18, 1953 BY 774mm, mwvm ATTORNEYSUnited States Patent C APPARATUS FoR FoRMING ICE CUBEs Hugh B. Mason,San Gabriel, Calif., assignor of onethird to Sabra E. Mason, SanGabriel, Calif.

Application March 18, 1953, Serial No. 343,035

6 Claims. (Cl. 62-107) The invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in an apparatus for forming relatively small ice blocksadapted for use in drinking containers and the like.

In my copending application Serial No. 247,156, led September 18, 1951,now Patent No. 2,677,249 I have shown and described a method of formingsmall ice blocks and an apparatus for carrying out the method. Thefreezing units are arranged in a cabinet one above another and each unitincludes a series of rows of molds in which the ice blocks are formed.The molds are set in tubes through which the refrigerant circulates anddirectly contacts the molds. The molds project some distance from theouter face of the tubes and provide sufcient space for insulatingmaterial at the open ends of the molds and there is a metal platecovering this insulation.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus whereinthe freezing units are placed side by side in a cabinet and extending ata sucient angle to the vertical to cause the excess freezing liquid toow from the molds and the ice blocks to slide freely from the molds whencompleted and released by the substitution of a heating mediumcirculating through the tubes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover for the face sideof the freezing units from a material which will not corrode whencontacted by the liquid spray and wherein the extent to which the moldsproject from the tubes is only sufficient to `facilitate the welding ofthe molds to the tubes and wherein the length of the molds may bereduced tosubstantially the size of the ice blocks being formed.

These and other object-s will in part be obvious and will in part behereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing moreA or lessdiagrammatically a cabinet containing the improved apparatus.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a portion of one of the units,l saidview being taken longitudinally through a freezing unit along one sideof a tube, onthe line 2 2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through one of the freezingunit-s taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and with pipe connectionsbetween the tubes omitted.

Figure 4 is an enlarged-sectional view through three of the tubes on theline 4 4 of Figure 5 showing the position of the molds therein and thespace surrounding the molds through which the refrigerant or heatexchange medium passes.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view extending`longitudinally of oneof the tubes on the line 5--5 of Figure 4 and showing the manner ofpositioning and supporting the molds in the tube.

Figure 6 is a view through a portion of one of the freezing unitsshowing a modilied formfof construction of tubes for supporting themolds.

Figure 7 is an enlarged-sectional view taken longitudinally through oneof the modiiied forms of unit.

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The invention has to do with the forming of relatively l small iceblocks which are especiallyadapted for use in cooling beverages or thelike. cubical in shape or they may be cylindrical in shape. For thepurpose of illustration they are shown as shaped .-,zj to form icecubes.

1 horizontal wall section 3 `is provided with a sliding door 4 whichgives access to the lower part of the cabinet. Mounted in the cabinetare three freezing units indicated respectively at 5, 6 and 7. Theseunits are carried by supporting brackets 8 attached to the cabinet andon which the lower ends of the units rest. There are brackets 9 at theupper end which are carried bythe cabinet and support the units at theupper ends. These units are inclined at a small angle relative to thevertical. Each freezing unit is provided with molds 10 which will bedescribed more in detail later. A pipe 11 is connected to a header 12which in turn is connected to a pump. The pump supplies liquid to befrozen to the header and from the header to the pipe 11. There areseveral of these branch pipes and extending o' from the branch pipe 11are spray pipes 13, 13, 13. These pipes 13 are each provided at spacedintervals with nozzles from which sprays 14 are directed onto the frontface of the freezing unit and into the freezing molds. The mold inclinesdownwardly toward its free end sufficiently to cause the excess sprayliquid to drain from the mold onto the drain board 1S and from the drainboard v cubes have been completed, a heating medium is substituted forthe refrigerant and this will release the cubes so that they will slideout of the molds by `gravity and drop onto these bars, slide down thebar-s and over the trough into the lower part of the cabinet where theyare stored until they are desired for use.

In Figure 2 there is shown a longitudinal section through one of thefreezing units, and in Figure 3 a transverse section. The freezing unitincludes a frame structure 19 which extends all the way around the unit.The frame structure has outwardly extending anges 20, 20 which givestrength to the frame. A metal plate 21 extends across What might bereferred to as the back side of the unit and the edges of the plate arefolded about theange. This plate is preferably formed of galvanizediron. Within the frame 19 next to the plate 21 is an insulating material22 of any suitable character. Also within the frame is the freezingblock which consists of a series of tubes placed side by side and spotwelded together. Thesetubes extend from a point adjacent the surroundingframe 19 at one side of the unit to a point adjacent the other sidethereof. Sucient tubes are provided so as to extend transverselysubstantially all the way across the freezing unit, leaving onlysufficient space between the tubes and the frame structure 19 to providefor supporting devices for the block of tubes and insulating material.The supporting devices for the block of tubes in the freezing unit isshown in Figures 2 and 3. Each device includes a metal sleeve 24 whichis welded to theouter tubes of the block near the endsl thereof. A block24a of rubber or neoprene extends into the sleeve and outward therefrominto contact with the frame 19. A metal lug 25 Iwhich extends throughthe frame l19' is welded thereto. This lug extends into the rubberplug,and intothe sleeve butdoes not contact with the sleeve.

This makes a very rigid support for the freezing block The blocks mayber tubes. Around these rubber plugs and at each side of the block oftubes is insulating material similar to that indicated at 22.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 where the tubes and associated molds orcells are showny more in detail each tube includes a rear wall 26, afront wall 27 and side wallsl 28, 28. The adjacentl side walls of'tubesareplaced in contact and are spot welded at intervals as indicated at29. This holds the tubes together in a solid block. The front wall 27 atclosely spaced intervals is provided with openings 30, 30. Fitting ineach opening is a mold or cell 31. This mold or cell is drawn from metaland has side walls and a bottom wall 32 which are all formed integral.The mold or cell is opened at the front end thereof. The mold may besquare in cross section or it may be circular. Whatever the shaping ofthe mold may be the opening 30 in the front wall of the tube is shapedto conform to the mold so that the mold ts tightly in the opening andprojects only a suicient distance from the outer face of the tube topermit the mold being welded to the tube to provide a sealed connectionbetween the mold and the tube. The weld is indicated at 33. The tubesare set inwardly from the front face of the frame a sufficient distanceso as to provide a space for a sheet 34 of rubber or neoprene. Thissheet is preformed and is provided with openings 35 which are shaped tofit around the projecting ends of the molds. This sheet is vulcanized tothe front walls 27 of the tubes. The rubber sheet extends all the way tothe frame. At the front of the frame is a metal plate 36 which is foldedaround the flange 20 and extends inwardly to a point adjacent the molds.The sheet then extends outwardly away from the freezing unit asindicated at 37.

This outwardly extending portion 37 of the sheet serves as a guard toconfine the spray. As shown in Figures 4 and there is a header 38. Thisheader is inserted in the tube and is welded in place. At one of theouter tubes is a pipe 39 which extends through the header. This pipe isconnected to a fluid supply or heat exchange medium. The tubes atalternate ends are connected by a U-shaped pipe 40. For a freezingoperation the refrigerant passes into the tube block through the pipe 39and contacts all sides of the molds including the bottom as it passesalong the tube. It passes out of the other end of the tube and into thenext adjacent tube and then back through said tube and so on until allof the tubes are subjected to the refrigerant after which it passes outof the block through a tube which leads to the system for cooling therefrigerant. It is to be noted that the molds only project beyond theouter face of the tube sufficiently for welding purposes and practicallyall of the mold will be directly contacted with by the refrigerant.

The apparatus shown is particularly adapted for freezing water to formice cubes. It may, however, be used for freezing or congealing othertypes of liquid such as fruit and vegetable juices and concentrates andbeverage Syrups with or without water or other liquids added.

When freezing ice blocks the water is directed from the sprays into themolds and the amount of water will be regulated so that it is onlysufficient to gradually form the ice block in the mold and cause a filmof water to flow over the freezing surface so as to remove air and anyforeign matter clinging to the freezing surface. When the ice block isbuilt up to the proper size then the spray water is cut off. Then aheating medium is substituted for the refrigerant and is used to thawthe ice cubes loose from the molds. The ice cubes then dropped bygravity from the molds onto the bars 1S will slide along the bars andover the edge of the trough into the compartment or suitable receptaclestherefor in the bottom o f the cabinet.

The advantage of the vrubber lor neoprene Ysheet is that is .isv`impervious to the liquid and may be placed Substantially in front ofthe molds with openings leading to the mold. This enables the greaterportion of the mold to extend into the tube where it is contacted by therefrigerant. Furthermore, the ice cube when completed substantiallyfills the mold.

In Figures 6 and 7 there is shown a modified form of freezing block. Inthe form of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 there is aframe 41 consisting of side members and end members which are weldedtogether at the corners. Extending from one end to the other of thisframe at spaced intervals are partitions 42. Extending across the entireframe is a back plate 43. Also extending across the entire frame is afront plate 44. These plates are slotted as indicated at 45 in Figure 7,and the partition is provided with keys 46 which extend into the slotsand the keys are welded to the back and front plates as indicated at 47.The front plate 44 has a series of openings 48 and the molds or cells 31are shaped to conform to these openings and project through the openingsonly to a sufficient extent to permit the welding of the cell to theplate. Between the front and back plates and the partitions is a tubularconduit through which the refrigerant or heat exchanging medium passes.

Vulcanized to the front wall 44 of the block is a sheet of rubber orneoprene 34 having openings 35 as' described above.

Pipes pass through the end walls of the frame and permit a refrigerantto be directed into the tubular members and from one member to anotherthrough holes 49, 49 formed in the partitions at opposite ends thereof.

It is obvious that many changes in the details of construction may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

I claim:

l. An apparatus for forming ice blocks comprising a series of freezingunits each including a rectangular supporting frame, a plate attached toand closing the back of the frame, a freezing block disposed in saidframe and spaced away from the frame and the back plate, insulatingmaterial filling said space, said freezing block having a series ofconnected tubular channels through which a refrigerant is circulated,each tubular channel having front, rear and side walls, the front wallhaving spaced openings therein, a series of individual molds each havingintegral sides and bottom walls with the front end open, said moldsbeing disposed in said channels and with the open end of the moldsprojecting through the openings in the front wall and welded to saidfront Wall, and a sheet of impervious insulating material secured to thefront side of said ice forming block, said sheet being disposed withinsaid frame and closing the front side thereof, said sheet havingopenings conforming to the open ends of the molds whereby the liquid tobe frozen may be sprayed into the open ends o f said molds.

2. An apparatus for forming ice blocks comprising a series of freezingunits each including a rectangular supporting frame, a plate attached toand closing the back of the frame, a series' of tubes placed side byside and welded together to form a freezing block, said block beingdisposed in said frame and spaced away from the frame and back plate,insulating material filling said space, said tubes being connected sothat a refrigerant can be circulated through the tubes, each tube havingfront, rear and side walls, the front wall having spaced openingstherein, a series of individual molds each having integral sides andbottom walls with the front end open, said molds being disposed in .saidtubes with the open end of the molds projecting through the openings inthe front Wall and welded to said front Wall and a sheet of imperviousinsulating material secured to the front side of said ice forming block,said sheet being disposed within said frame and closing the front sidethereof, said sheet having openings conforming to the open ends of themolds whereby the liquid to be .frozen may be sprayed into the ,openends of said molds.

' 3. An apparatus for forming ice blocks comprising a series of freezingunits each including a rectangular supporting frame, a plate attached toand closing the back of the frame, a freezing block disposed in saidframe and spaced away from the frame and the back plate, insulatingmaterial filling said space, said freezing block having a series ofconnected tubular channels through which a refrigerant is circulated,each channel having front, rear and side walls, the front wall havingspaced openings therein, a series of molds each having integral sidesand bottom walls with the front end open, said molds being disposed insaid tubes with the open end projecting through the openings in thefront wall thereof and welded to said front wall and a sheet of rubbervulcanized to the front side of said ice forming block, said sheet beingdisposed within said frame and closing the front side thereof, saidsheet having openings conforming to the open ends of the molds wherebythe liquid to be frozen may be sprayed into the open ends of said molds.

4. An apparatus for forming ice blocks comprising a series of freezingunits each including a rectangular supporting frame, a plate attached toand closing the back of the frame, a series of tubes placed side by sideand welded together to form a freezing block, said block being disposedin said frame and spaced away from the frame and back plate, insulatingmaterial filling said space, said tubes being connected so that arefrigerant can be circulated through the tubes, each tube having front,rear and side walls, the front wall having spaced openings therein aseries of molds each having integral sides and bottom walls with thefront end open, said molds being disposed in said tubes with the openends thereof projecting through the openings in the tubes and a Sheet ofrubber vulcanized to the front side of said ice forming block, saidsheet being disposed within said frame and closing the front sidethereof, said sheet having openings conforming to the open ends of themolds whereby the liquid to be frozen may be sprayed into the open endsof said molds.

5. An apparatus for forming ice blocks comprising a cabinet, a pluralityof freezing units arranged in said cabinet side by side and at asufticient angle to the vertical to permit excess liquid sprayed intothe molds of the freezing unit to drain therefrom, each unit including arectangular supporting frame, a plate attached to and closing the backof the frame, a freezing block disposed in said frame and spaced awayfrom the frame and the back plate, insulating material filling saidspace, said freezing block having a series of connected tubular channelsthrough which a refrigerant is circulated, each channel having a front,rear and side wall, the front wall having spaced openings therein, aseries of individual molds each having integral sides and bottom Wallswith the front end open, said molds being disposed in said tubularchannels with the open ends thereof projecting through said openings inthe front wall and welded to said front wall, and a sheet of imperviousinsulating material secured to the front side of said ice forming block,said sheet being disposed within said frame and closing the front sidethereof, said sheet having openings conforming to the open ends of themolds whereby the liquid to be frozen may be sprayed into the open endsof said molds.

6. An apparatus for forming ice blocks comprising a cabinet, a pluralityof freezing units arranged in said cabinet side by side and at asufficient angle to the vertical to permit excess liquid sprayed intothe molds of the freezing unit to drain therefrom, each unit including arectangular supporting frame, a plate attached to and closing the backof the frame, a series of tubes placed side by side and welded togetherto form a freezing block, said block being disposed in said frame andspaced away from the frame and back plate, insulating material fillingsaid space, said tubes being connected so that a refrigerant can becirculated through the tubes, each tube having a front, rear and sidewall, the front wall having spaced openings therein, a series ofindividual molds each having integral sides and bottom Walls with thefront end open, said molds being disposed in said tubes with the openends thereof projecting through the openings in the front Wall of thetubes and welded thereto, and a sheet of rubber Vulcanized to the frontside of said ice forming block, said sheet being disposed within saidframe and closing the front side thereof, said sheet having openingsconforming to the open ends of the molds whereby the liquid to be frozenmay be sprayed into the open ends of said molds.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,117,658 Gilliam May 17, 1938 2,403,275 Gilliam July 2, 1946 2,563,093Bayston Aug. 7, 1951 2,583,294 Erickson Ian. 22, 1952 2,606,428Oldfather Aug. 12, 1952 2,677,249 Mason May 4, 1954

